ABSTRACT. We used data from the 2011–2014 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to describe demographic characteristics of families with children age 0–5 years (n=6,600). Results are weighted to the general population to adjust for sampling design and error. Characteristics include family structure and parental education, income (% of US Federal Poverty Level (FPL)) and public program participation, race/ethnicity, immigration status, languages spoken in the home, area of residence, neighborhood safety and cohesion, and civic engagement. Urban, suburban, and rural families are compared. We also discuss the characteristics of families who speak a language other than or in addition to English in the home. The data reflects the strengths and challenges facing young families in California. Identified strengths include the predominance of two-parent households, 60% of parent respondents with greater than a high school education, and 53% of households living at or above 200% FPL. There is also strong perceived neighborhood cohesion and considerable foreign language capability. Challenges identified include 20% of parent respondents who have not finished high school and a quarter of families living below the poverty line.

Keywords: children; families; dual language learners

How to cite: Holtby, Sue, Nicole Lordi, Royce Park, and Ninez A. Ponce (2017). “Families with Young Children in California: Findings from the California Health Interview Survey, 2011–2014,” American Journal of Medical Research 4(2): 168–178.

Received 15 June 2017 • Received in revised form 28 September 2017
Accepted 29 September 2017 • Available online 18 October 2017

doi:10.22381/AJMR4220178